The HBCU football season is fast approaching and there is a lot to look forward to.
Parity is high among the HBCU conferences, creating opportunities for some programs currently flying under-the-radar to creep their way into contention.
Here are five teams that have the best opportunity to do some damage this fall.
Albany State
Like it in past years, the SIAC is open for the taking without any real favorite to claim the conference title.
The departure of Sam Shade from defending champion Miles and David Wright III being denied eligibility from Clark Atlanta makes competition for the conference’s top spot more interesting.
A team that has a great chance to benefit from this is Albany State, which could have been one-half of the SIAC championship participants if the stars had aligned in 2024.
The Golden Rams’ loss in their penultimate contest of the 2024 season against Savannah State put an end to their hopes of appearing in a second straight SIAC championship game.
With star quarterback Isaiah Knowles, reigning SIAC Freshman of the Year Tiant Wyche and leading receiver Jamill Williams all returning in 2025, it would be no surprise to see them playing deep in November.
Alabama A&M
The last time a SIAC championship coach departed for a head coaching job at a Division 1 HBCU, he helped lead his team to a conference title.
While that is not a guarantee for Sam Shade and the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, they are making strides in the right direction this offseason.
In addition to many key members of the Miles SIAC championship unit now at Alabama A&M, the Bulldogs added former Arkansas-Pine Bluff quarterback Mekhi Hagens, who finished second in the SWAC in passing last year.
If Hagens can replicate his production from 2014, he will be in contention for the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year award, and the Bulldogs could shake things up in the SWAC East.
Morgan State
When looking at how the 2024 season transpired for the Morgan State Bears, it would be understandable to underestimate them in 2025.
Morgan State took a slight step back from the previous year, equaling their conference win total but with less than equal production from their defensive unit.
Offense is always the elephant in the room for the Bears, and it creates significant pressure for their defense to hold up.
With career sack leader Elijah Williams now out of the door, all eyes will be on Erick Hunter, who is returning from an injury-riddled 2024.
Defensive lineman Lance Byndon and defensive back Jadon Carter are players to watch that could have breakout seasons.
Tennessee State
The Tennessee State Tigers will be an interesting team to watch this year in what will be their first season under head coach Reggie Barlow.
The Tigers had a tremendous season in 2024, clinching a share of the Big South-OVC title for the first time since 1999 and earned an FCS postseason berth.
Despite the departure of former head coach Eddie George and many of their top players, including star quarterback Draylen Ellis, the Tigers found a way to have a productive offseason.
TSU added 12 FBS transfers, including four power conference transfers and proven FCS talents such as former Southern running back Kendric Rhymes.
With Barlow’s championship reputation, seeing Tennessee State replicate its success from last year would not be a total shock.
Winston-Salem State
Last season ended a three-team race for the CIAA crown between Virginia Union, Virginia State and Johnson C. Smith.
While these teams will undoubtedly be in the mix once again this year, they will have some stiff competition.
This includes Winston-Salem State, which notched their first winning record since 2018.
Like Albany State, WSSU will see many of its top stars from the previous year return in 2025, including starting quarterback Daylin Lee.
Don’t be too quick to count the Rams out because they are continuously rising and are confident in their ability to compete against the best.
